Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist

Luis Enrique has never said he thinks Spain will win the Euros but then neither has he said they won't. He has always been of the view that Spain, alongside six or seven other countries in the competition, have a chance of lifting the trophy.

He is not a manager affected by pressure, at least not this kind of pressure.

If Spain win he will be a hero, while if he loses badly then you won't be able to hear yourself think for the sound of knives sharpening - none of which will bother him a jot.

Jonas Olsson
Former Sweden defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think it's very simple, with Ibrahimovic Sweden have a higher potential, without him, Sweden are more consistent.

Since Janne Andersson took over, he built success through a pragmatic approach and the key is Sweden's two strikers.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

Isak is going to have a field day. Because Spain's defensive line will be so high, probably the highest in the tournament. He used to be a player that ran very fast, when Willian Jose left, he had to develop into something more. But today he is going to run and have a lot of space to do so.

Image source, Getty Images

Alexander Isak, who plays his club football in Spain, was dubbed the ‘New Zlatan’ when he burst onto the scene by becoming Sweden’s youngest goalscorer in 2017.

The 21-year-old has since broken out of the veteran’s shadow and his form for Real Sociedad in 2020-21 saw him win young player of the year in La Liga.

Isak scored 17 goals in 34 top-flight appearances in 2020-21.

That's a very decent return.

Of course, Sweden are missing their legendary forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic at this tournament because of a knee injury.

'The return of the God' is how the ever under-stated Ibrahimovic announced his comeback to international football in March.

Do they have anyone who can fill the boots of 'God' at Euro 2020?

Well now you ask...

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This could be a scene from some low budget sci-fi movie.

It's actually a member of ground staff sanitising seats prior to tonight's game in Seville.

Cesc Fabregas
Former Spain midfielder on BBC One

I'm a positive thinker and I believe, especially when in 2008 no one believed in Spain and we made it happen with a lot of changes, new faces and young players. There a lot of similarities now.

I believe in them and hopefully tonight they will give us a good positive performance.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist

Despite being allowed to pick 26 players, Luis Enrique opted for just a 24-man squad. Twenty-four, he said, was more than enough.

What he believes is what he has said all along, namely that Spain have a nucleus of 35-40 players of more or less the same calibre and on current form and fitness, Sergio Ramos is not one of them.

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For the first time in history, Spain are at a major tournament without a single player in their squad from Real Madrid. This followed the shock omission of captain Sergio Ramos from Luis Enrique’s 24-man squad.

Ramos won the last of his 180 caps in March but his season at Real has been blighted by injury.

The Spain boss said his decision had been a difficult one: “It wasn’t easy, but I called him and we had a tough conversation.

"It’s a decision I’ve taken for the good of the national team and the group as a whole."

Spain

There are four Manchester City players in Spain's Euro 2020 squad. None from Real Madrid.

Spain and Sweden are not strangers.

Indeed, they met in Euro 2020 qualifying - Spain winning 3-0 in Madrid before scoring a stoppage time equaliser when it ended 1-1 in Sweden.

Spain finished top of the group with 26 points - five ahead of second-placed Sweden.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Sweden will be grateful this is an evening kick-off so the temperature in Seville will be a bit cooler. I'd still fancy Spain to win this one though, despite their less than ideal build-up.

Spain might not be the force they were a decade ago but they still hide the ball from the opposition extremely well. They are very capable in possession, I am not sure about them in front of goal.

Prediction: 1-0

Lawro's full opening round predictions

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Good job this game wasn't taking place earlier. It's been a scorching hot day in Seville.

Fortunately some fans were able to find some shade - outside a bar.

Lawro thinks Sweden will be happy the temperatures will be cooler at kick-off.

BBC One

Don't forget you can watch this game live on BBC One, the iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and follow text commentary right here.

Gary Lineker is presenting BBC One's coverage from 19:30 BST, with former England captain Alan Shearer, ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand and Spain 2010 World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas providing analysis.

Commentary is from Steve Bower, who has former England midfielder Danny Murphy alongside him.

Sweden

The average age of Sweden's starting XI during Euro 2020 qualifying was 28 years and 325 days, the oldest of all the teams that qualified for this tournament.

Despite the emergence of many talented youngsters in Janne Andersson's finals squad, the average age is still over 28.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After a controversial squad selection, positive Covid tests, vaccination wranglings and the creation of a parallel training bubble, finally getting their Euro 2020 campaign under way against Sweden will probably come as light relief for Luis Enrique and his Spanish side.

It all began when Sergio Busquets found out one of his relatives had tested positive for coronavirus. He had not been with that relative for five days beforehand but nonetheless was obliged to pass on the information to the appropriate authorities.

He played against Portugal in a friendly and every single test he gave during that period was negative. Eventually, after six days he tested positive. This was then followed by another positive test for Diego Llorente, which turned out to be a false positive - he has now returned to the squad - but nonetheless created more unwelcome drama.

Read more from Guillem about Spain's troubled build-up here.

Spain

It's been a less than ideal build-up to Euro 2020 for Spain.

Here's Spanish football writer Guillem Balague to explain why.

Jonas Olsson
Former Sweden defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I am positive, if you look at the diversity of the Sweden squad. The experience, the youth, the creativeness, the physical players. I think it is a really, really good squad.

Looks like Seville is the party capital of Spain right now.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's great to see Pedri, and the youthfulness and pace and energy of the players up front. Because Spain, right now, is related to intensity, high pressure and speed.